If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Running and Cycling.

Hello there, I have a rather simple question here, and I was hoping the forums would help me! I want to be able to run five miles. Can I achieve this goal by cycling three times a week, whilst going for a gradually increasing run once per week?

An interesting question. Running slowly enough to be called running and yet able to sustain this pace take some practice, usually you run too fast and then fade or stop altoghether. Other sports e.g. cycling help but different muscles are required and it's often the smaller stabilising muscles that can cause problems rather than the more major ones.

An interesting question. Running slowly enough to be called running and yet able to sustain this pace take some practice, usually you run too fast and then fade or stop altoghether. Other sports e.g. cycling help but different muscles are required and it's often the smaller stabilising muscles that can cause problems rather than the more major ones.

Cycling uses Vastus Lateralis way more than running, and Vastus Medialis way less i think. Cycling gives me more knee trouble than running and this can be the only explanation. I'd guess it would be better to maintain a fairly medium-ish pace so you know all the stabilisation muscles are firing up properly, if they aren't you'll definitely know. It's odd, he's on the cusp of doing something which altered my life forever and i can never now go back and do things differently.

Hello there, I have a rather simple question here, and I was hoping the forums would help me! I want to be able to run five miles. Can I achieve this goal by cycling three times a week, whilst going for a gradually increasing run once per week?

I came from a cycling background, so I think it is possible to do what you're suggesting. Mr Brightside is correct, however, in pointing out there are different muscles involved so it may not be totally straightforward.

You haven't said what your current level of fitness is, but assuming that it is reasonable then I think you could build up to 5 miles fairly quickly IF you listen to your body. Running is a lot harder on your body than cycling, and to be successful at it you need to listen to it and learn when to back off. It's very easy to "push on through the pain" when you've reached 4.5 miles and your target is 5, but it's usually not the right thing to do